Controversial subjects and topics in the world abound where people with strong convictions disagree. Heading the list would be Religion and Politics. Since our earliest history great wars have been fought over these two. So, I try not to get into serious discourse with others concerning either. I don’t mind friendly discussions in a broad way about them but resist making the topic personal. You can’t win an argument here. But I don’t mind stating my position on other controversial issues. One such subject is featured often in our daily news media. Drugs.
For years now the U.S. and State/local governments have been fighting “the war on drugs.” And without success. The law regarding use, possession and sale varies greatly from state to state. In some jurisdictions you can get years in prison for possession and in others perhaps only a warning. Vast amounts of money are being spent on this “war.” The federal government has wasted huge sums in trying to stem the trafficking of drugs from other countries into our country; even to the extent of supplying troops and equipment to foreign nations in the pursuit of a hopeless policy. There is a saying that “those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” This certainly applies to the general policy of criminalizing drugs. A perfect example is the constitutional 18th amendment of Prohibition of Alcohol, which went into effect in Jan. 1920. It made it a federal crime to manufacture, transport or possess alcoholic beverages. This act established the breeding ground of a crime wave that swept our nation. The ‘speakeasy’ replaced the saloon as the public continued to seek alcohol. Smuggling provided spectacular profits to gangsters and racketeers. Gang wars were fought for control. Liquor became stronger as it was more profitable to the smugglers. This amendment also permitted individual states to still pass laws prohibiting alcohol, resulting in the absurdity of one state banning it and an adjacent state allowing use. In several states there were counties with opposing laws. The temper of the times which was also influenced by the “Great Depression” led young people to flaunt the law and to seek the adventure and excitement of doing so while others sought some financial relief by covert brewing activity or making “bathtub Gin.” The whole effect was the complete failure of the results wanted by temperance groups and those who favored abstinance. How is this result different from what is happening under the present policy on drugs? We have been doomed to repeating the history we have ignored.
If we were to legalize the possession and use of drugs here is what I think would happen. There would be no increase in the percentage per capita of drug use. Our prison population, that is mostly populated by convicts serving time on drug charges or the violent crimes committed to obtain drugs, would decline drastically. This in turn would save a gigantic amount in our government budgets. Law enforcement would benefit from the freedom to pursue other issues. I might note that during my term as a clerk of the Grand Jury in Pinal Co., Ariz. we gave some 30 to 40 indictments a week for violations of drug laws; and this in a sparsely populated county. The vast sums now being wasted on this war on drugs could be spent to treat addicts or alcoholics in a positive way to rehabilitate those who are victims. And we must realize that as in the freedom to use alcohol many of those who use drugs do not become addicted. If you watch the late night talk shows you find that many of the celebrity guests admit to having used or still use drugs. They discuss it with humor. They are not failures in life. But as in life everywhere there are a few who have less control and have succumbed to over use. They need our help. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan had a campaign against drugs with the slogan “Just say no.” Well that is good advice but it is hardly practical. To be practical we need to get rid of the law just like we did with the 18th amendment in March 1933. I am
Just sayin’
For years now the U.S. and State/local governments have been fighting “the war on drugs.” And without success. The law regarding use, possession and sale varies greatly from state to state. In some jurisdictions you can get years in prison for possession and in others perhaps only a warning. Vast amounts of money are being spent on this “war.” The federal government has wasted huge sums in trying to stem the trafficking of drugs from other countries into our country; even to the extent of supplying troops and equipment to foreign nations in the pursuit of a hopeless policy. There is a saying that “those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” This certainly applies to the general policy of criminalizing drugs. A perfect example is the constitutional 18th amendment of Prohibition of Alcohol, which went into effect in Jan. 1920. It made it a federal crime to manufacture, transport or possess alcoholic beverages. This act established the breeding ground of a crime wave that swept our nation. The ‘speakeasy’ replaced the saloon as the public continued to seek alcohol. Smuggling provided spectacular profits to gangsters and racketeers. Gang wars were fought for control. Liquor became stronger as it was more profitable to the smugglers. This amendment also permitted individual states to still pass laws prohibiting alcohol, resulting in the absurdity of one state banning it and an adjacent state allowing use. In several states there were counties with opposing laws. The temper of the times which was also influenced by the “Great Depression” led young people to flaunt the law and to seek the adventure and excitement of doing so while others sought some financial relief by covert brewing activity or making “bathtub Gin.” The whole effect was the complete failure of the results wanted by temperance groups and those who favored abstinance. How is this result different from what is happening under the present policy on drugs? We have been doomed to repeating the history we have ignored.
If we were to legalize the possession and use of drugs here is what I think would happen. There would be no increase in the percentage per capita of drug use. Our prison population, that is mostly populated by convicts serving time on drug charges or the violent crimes committed to obtain drugs, would decline drastically. This in turn would save a gigantic amount in our government budgets. Law enforcement would benefit from the freedom to pursue other issues. I might note that during my term as a clerk of the Grand Jury in Pinal Co., Ariz. we gave some 30 to 40 indictments a week for violations of drug laws; and this in a sparsely populated county. The vast sums now being wasted on this war on drugs could be spent to treat addicts or alcoholics in a positive way to rehabilitate those who are victims. And we must realize that as in the freedom to use alcohol many of those who use drugs do not become addicted. If you watch the late night talk shows you find that many of the celebrity guests admit to having used or still use drugs. They discuss it with humor. They are not failures in life. But as in life everywhere there are a few who have less control and have succumbed to over use. They need our help. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan had a campaign against drugs with the slogan “Just say no.” Well that is good advice but it is hardly practical. To be practical we need to get rid of the law just like we did with the 18th amendment in March 1933. I am
Just sayin’
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